Jersey City couple displaced, 1 dog dies in blaze

A couple was displaced and one of their two dogs died in a fire in their Jersey City apartment this morning, officials said.

There were no other injuries in the blaze at 103 Magnolia Ave., but the residents on the first and third floors of the three-family building are temporarily displaced after their units suffered minor damage, Jersey City public safety spokesman Bob McHugh said.

The second-floor couple's 4-year-old Poodle, Ramen, died in fire, but their 6-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, Tyson, survived by shielding itself from the heat and flames under a television, McHugh said.

"What a survivor," Firefighter Patrick Egbert said of the dog, which he rescued.

Several firefighters tended to Tyson with water and oxygen, while an EMT cleaned him off.

When an animal control officer brought out the body of Ramen, all the resident could say was "it's just not fair" over and over.

"He was a really happy poodle," said the owner, who wouldn't give his name.

While the fire was considered small, there was extensive interior damage because of the smoke and heat that were contained to the apartment, McHugh said.

A resident of the first-floor apartment said she had just returned home to find firefighters putting out the blaze above her residence.

"It just shows you that the Jersey City Fire Department is excellent," said the resident, who only identified herself as Jackie.

The Red Cross was called in to assist the displaced tenants. The cause of the fire is under investigation.